Memoir recalls 1974 bombing
Now retired and living in his native townland of Kilbrean, outside Killarney, Seán O’Sullivan traces his story from his early days growing up on a farm in the 1950s, cutting turf, serving as a garda in the border area during the “troubles”, to dealing with a varied assortment of characters while in uniform over a 38-year career. He recalls how he came within inches of losing his life on the day when 33 people were killed and about 300 were injured in the loyalist bombings of Dublin and Monaghan in May, 1974 — the largest number of casualties in any single day of the conflict in the north.
That year, Seán was stationed in Scotstown Garda Station, in Co Monaghan.
He was getting a newspaper in a shop near the diamond, in the centre of the town, when a car bomb exploded on North Road.
“I was knocked to the ground with the force of the explosion and lucky not to be among the seven people who so tragically lost their lives,” he said
“It was a day I’ll never forget. Bodies had to be pulled out of cars and sirens were going off all over the place.” Following his service in Monaghan, he moved to Boherbue in north Cork, and later to nearby Millstreet where he was to serve as sergeant for 20 years until his retirement.
His book, From Kilbrean and Back, has been launched by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe. Both men are past-pupils of St Brendan’s College, Killarney. Speaking at the launch, Mr O’Keeffe said Seán had uncovered a fascinating fabric of local history and anecdote which would amount to a valuable legacy for generations to come.
“Seán has truly has left his children and grandchildren a legacy in this book — the values of decency and community and the importance of roots, of simple living, of tradition, of family and of friendship,” he said. Seán is also a well-known musician and proceeds from the sale of his book and an accompanying CD will go towards the MS Society.
